Reverend Dr.
Herbert Daniel Daughtry Sr's. Online Bio

The Reverend Dr. Herbert Daughtry hails from a family which has produced six generations of Black church leaders. Born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised on the streets of Brooklyn, New York and Jersey City, New Jersey, Reverend Daughtry has risen to positions of national and international prominence.

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More than 66 years of involvement in church and community, national and international service has earned him the title, "The People's Pastor." After serving for 61 years, Dr. Daughtry resigned in 2019 as the National Presiding Minister of The House of the Lord Churches.The Reverend Leah Daughtry, the eldest daughter of the Reverend Dr. Herbert and Karen Daughtry became the National Presiding Minister. However, the Reverend still remains active in the church; local, national, and global affairs. He is presently the Founder and President of the Herbert Daughtry Global Ministries.

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Reverend Daughtry's long career of activism began with the civil rights struggles in the late 1950s. In collaboration with the:

●  Brooklyn Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

●  Welfare Rights Mothers (WRM)

●  Youth In Action (YIA), an anti-poverty program in Brooklyn. In the beginning of the war against poverty initiated by President Kennedy and continued by President Lyndon Johnson, Reverend Daughtry was one of the early organizers. He was Vice Chairman of Youth in Action, one of the first and most important anti-poverty programs.

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1960s

●  Brooklyn Operation Breadbasket (BOB) 1962, the economic arm of the Southern Christian Leadership conference, founded and headed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

●  Reverend Herbert played a key role first in the fight for integration for the schools, later he was a founding member of The Clergy Vigil which now fought for community control of schools.

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1970s

The year 1975, in his ever widening attempt to reach all parts of the human family, Dr. Daughtry commenced the ministry to the New York Jets football team. He was introduced to the coaches and team by the late renowned Evangelist Tom Skinner. He continued association with some of the players for many years thereafter.

In 1976, as a result of the killing of 15-year-old Randolph Evans by a New York City police officer. Reverend Daughtry became a major force in organizing the Coalition of Concerned Leaders and Citizens to Save Our Youth. The group used economic boycotts to win jobs and services for the Black community from merchants in downtown Brooklyn. Their effort resulted in the establishment of the Randolph Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund (REMSF) in 1978 and continued until the present. And the Randolph Evans Memorial Crisis Fund, and numerous other initiatives.

●  Alonzo Daughtry Memorial Family Life Services, Inc, (ADMFLS) He is one of the founding members of ADMFLS, which serves the needs of the community through innovative programming such as Project Enlightenment, an AIDS educational program.

●  The Alonzo Daughtry Memorial Day Care Center, Inc. (ADMDC) He was a founding member which provides early childhood education under the motto, “Nurturing and Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow."

●  Commission on African Solidarity (COAS) 1977, as a Pan-Africanist the Reverend prioritized in his ministry, unity among people of African Ancestry. He formed the Commision on African Solidarity. One of its major accomplishments was a fundraiser for example Zimbabwe African Peoples Unity (ZAPU). The check was presented to Mr. Joshua Nkomo at the House of the Lord church in 1977. Mr. Nkomo was not only the president of ZAPU but he was considered the Godfather of the Southern Africa Liberation.

The Coalition of Concerned Leaders and Citizens to Save our Youth evolved into the New York Metropolitan Black United Front in July 1978. The success of the New York Black United Front inspired the call for a national organization. In both organizations he is still actively involved.

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1980s-1990s

The founding convention of the National Black United Front (NBUF) was held in Brooklyn, New York in June 1980. Delegates from 35 states and 5 foreign countries were present, convening the widest representation of religious persuasion and political ideology. Reverend Daughtry was elected NBUF's first National Chairman; the following year, he was re-elected and remained in that position until his resignation in 1986.

●  Conference in Managua, Nicaragua, 1982

The Reverend was invited by the leadership of the The Sandinista National Liberation Front (Spanish: Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional, FSLN) in Nicaragua the FDR and the FDLN in El Salvador to assist in forming a unity and funds. Reverend Daughtry made two major speeches regarding the war in Central America. On May 1991 and March 27, 1982 his speeches “Struggling Against Madness” and “What’s Going On?” respectively was printed and widely circulated. The speeches were made in Washington, DC and drew tens of thousands. 

Also, he was the Founder and President of the African People's Christian Organization (APCO) in 1982. APCO was initiated with the purpose of building an African Christian Movement and emphasizing Afro-centricity and Biblical Christianity in the context of advancing human rights and self-determination.

●  Global Disarmament Rally Convened in New York City

On June 12, 1982, Reverend Daughtry was a key organizer in the million participant rallies held in front of the United Nations and Central Park. Prominent leaders from every field of endeavor, from all across the world attended the event. Not only did the Reverend play a key role in that he organized the contingent of third world participants which he named, Third-World Progressive People Coalition. The massive turnout represented the peoples of the world desire for nuclear disarmament.

●  The Organization of African Unity Invite

The Reverend was extended an official invitation to attend the Organization of African Unity (OAU) conference on two occasions, 1981 in Nairobi, Kenya and 1982 in Tripoli, Libya. The official invitation is considered one of the high marks of recognition by the 50 African countries that make up the OAU. Not many African American leaders have been awarded the prestigious invite.

●  New York Yankee Community Foundation (NYCF) 1982, Dr. Daughtry was a founding member of the NYCF that funded community organizations. After tension between the New York Yankees and the Bronx community, resulting from  negative remarks regarding the community. Rev. Daughtry, Laura Blackburn and Dr. Roscoe Brown, met with Mr. George Steinbriner, President of the New York Yankees. Mr. Steinbriner agreed to establish a New York Yankee Community Foundation to fund community organizations. 

●  Families of Victims Against Violence (FOVAV), he founded FOVAV in 1982 which supported the families whose loved ones have been killed by violence.

●  Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA) November 1987, Reverend Daughtry was a founding member of the BLCA and he was among the first to warn of the danger of AIDS.

●  Association of Brooklyn Clergy for Community Development (ABCCD) 1988

In the late 80s, he also chaired the Association of Brooklyn Clergy for Community Development, which built and renovated more than 500 units of housing for low- and middle-income families in Brooklyn.

●  New York Citywide African-American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO) 1989

Reverend Daughtry was a founding chair of AACEO, which played a major role in the election of the first African American mayor of New York City, the Honorable David Dinkins. Dr. Daughtry continued as Chair until he resigned in 1996.

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2000s

●  The Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance (DBNA) 2000

Reverend Daughtry founded and chaired DBNA. DBNA was one of the handful of community leaders working with Forest City Ratner Companies to bring to Brooklyn a 19,000 seat arena to house the New York Nets basketball team. This $5 billion project also includes 16 high rises buildings for residential, commercial, and office space.

Reverend Daughtry was instrumental in the creation of the landmark Community Benefits Agreement that ensures delivery of a wide variety of services to the Brooklyn community.

In addition an intergenerational initiative – including a day care, a youth center, and a seniors center, and a community foundation from which annually give grants to grassroots community foundations, in addition to housing opportunities for low and middle income New Yorkers, construction jobs allocated for minorities and women, and thousands of other employment opportunities. And even a meditation room, the only one in an arena in the country.

Most importantly, the negotiated package, a state-of-the-art health facility, after serious deliberation among  health providers it was decided that New York Presbyterian in collaboration with the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital would be the health providers in a state-of-the-art health facility.

In 2005, to emphasize issues related to health, Reverend Daughtry walked from Brooklyn, New York to Washington, D.C, retracing the path of the Underground Railroad in conjunction with Million More Movement.

●  National Religious Leaders of African Ancestry Concerned about Darfur (NRLAA) 2005

He is the founding Chair of the NRLAA. He participated in a march from Belgium to the International Criminal Court in Hague, Netherlands to encourage the Court to accelerate the indictment for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir. Months later, the court did indict Al-Bashir, the president of Sudan and members of his administration. Since 2006, the Reverend has made several visits to the refugee camps of Darfur. He has met with government, religious, civil, and resistance leaders. As a result of his efforts, he was invited to Juba, South Sudan, to meet with all Darfurian leaders to assist them in forging a united front.

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Reverend Daughtry has been similarly active in the arena of electoral politics. He has advised dozens of campaigns and elected officials, and has actively worked for the election of many. In the 70s, he played a major role as advisor and fundraiser of:

●  The 1977 Mayoral Campaign of Percy Sutton in New York City.

●  Similarly, he played the same role for the Mayoral candidacy of Arthur Eve in Buffalo, New York 1977.

●  Reverend supported Congressman Major Owens and Ed Towns for Congress.

●  In 1983, Reverend Jackson asked Rev. Daughtry and Al Vann to lead the prominent black leaders if he should decide to run for the presidency.

●  In the 1984 Presidential campaign of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Daughtry served as Reverend Jackson's special assistant and confidant, and was a member of Jackson's National campaign committee. After the election the two men continued to fight for human rights, traveling extensively.

●  In 1986, they went on a European trip. They conferred with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican and with Bishop Rumcie in Canterbury, England. Their primary purpose was to urge the two religious leaders to take a vigorous stand in support of the freedom of Nelson Mandela and South Africa.

●  In 1992, Dr. Daughtry was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention. He served on the Credentials Committee. (In 2008 and 2016, Rev Leah Daughtry made history by becoming the first person to become CEO of both conventions in Denver, CO and Philadelphia, PA)

 

Reverend Daughtry has traveled and lectured extensively around the world. In keeping with his concern for global human rights and self-determination, he has participated in dozens of international conferences and conventions, such as:

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United Nations Sanctions against South Africa

●  In 1981, he participated in a conference on sanctions against South Africa. The conference was sponsored by the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity. It was held in Paris, France.

●  He has helped to organize and has participated in marches and demonstrations in different parts of the world. On two occasions, The Reverend has spoken at the United Nations political subcommittee meetings regarding South African apartheid, Cuba, the Middle East, and the state of U.S. Civil rights.

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 In addition, he has participated in several conferences:

●  In 1974, he participated in a 3-year study sponsored by the World Council of Churches to discuss issues facing the global faith community. The conferences were held in various parts of the world, Saigon, Vietnam, India, with a week retreat of study and reflections at the Theological Institute in Bossey, Switzerland. The conference concluded in Bangkok, Thailand.

●  Sixth Pan-African Conference

In 1976, the Reverend was a delegate to the Sixth Pan African Conference (PAC) held in Tanzania, Africa after which he visited Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Geneva, Switzerland.

●  Journey to Northern Ireland

In 1982, Rev. Daughtry was a member of the delegation that visited Ireland in support of the “HUNGER STRIKERS” in Northern Ireland. Irish leaders had decided to go on a hunger strike even to their death in the quest for independence. At the same time of the Irish visit he was invited to the German Democratic Republic (which is no longer in existence) While in Northern Ireland , in addition to meeting with leadership and the people, he helped send Clairborne, the eminent filmmaker produce the film, “The Black and the Green”

●  The Mo’ Better Jaguars win National Championship

In 2000, Reverend Daughtry became involved with the Pop Warner Little League Football team, called the Mo’ Better Jaguars. The Reverend acted as spiritual advisor and also gave advice on the game of football. He generated a meeting with the young football players and the New York Jets. In 2001, the Jaguars won the National Football Championship in Orlando, FL.

The Reverend Daughtry has led innumerable delegations in travel around the world, to places as diverse as Israel, Ireland, and Iraq.

Peace Mission to Iraq

In 1991, Reverend Daughtry gained the distinction of being the first black Pentecostal minister to give the invocation in the U.S. House of Representatives. That same evening after the prayer, President George H.W. Bush ended the war in Iraq. As a result, Reverend Daughtry's invocation has been called "the prayer that ended the war."

In 2003, the Reverend organized and led a multi-faith, multiracial delegation to Iraq in a last, desperate appeal for peace.

In 2009, New York Governor David Paterson appointed Reverend Daughtry to serve on a nine- member State Task Force on police-killing-police. Hearings, consultations, and conferences were held with a goal of developing legislation on police conduct.

In 2010, Reverend Daughtry was a member of an American delegation to South Africa to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, delivering the sermon at the opening event.

During the Clinton Administration, Reverend Daughtry was among a select group of religious leaders from across the United States to be invited to meet with the President at periodic breakfasts held at the White House.

Reverend Daughtry has lectured at Harvard University School of Divinity, the Union Theological Seminary, and the New York Theological Seminary. He was one of the principal lecturers at the 150th Anniversary of the Virginia Theological Seminary, and his lecture, "A Theology of Black Liberation: The Who, What and How," was published in the school's journal. He has spoken to countless community and civic associations, high schools, colleges, and universities, and has been interviewed extensively for a variety of media outlets.

Reverend Daughtry is a prolific author, writing weekly columns for the New York Daily Challenge, and contributing to other leading publications such as The New York Times, the Amsterdam News, and the Bergen Record. His book, No Monopoly on Suffering: Blacks and Jews in Crown Heights and Elsewhere, published in 1997 with a foreword by Dr. Cornel West, gives a chronology of the creation of movements in Brooklyn and serves as a guide for the empowerment of any people.

Among his other books are My Beloved Community: Effectual Prayer, and Dear 2pac: Letters to a Son, Remembering Afeni Shakur, In My Lifetime: Towards the Presidency of Barack Obama, published by Africa World Press. Made to Master: Tapping the Power Within, Made to Master: Weekly Practices for the Mastery of Life, Volume II Self-published volumes include South Africa Reader; A Theology of Reparation and Liberation, The Life and Times of the People's Pastor: 1980- 1990, Press Reports; and, Visiting Darfurian Refugee Camp and Conferring with Darfurian Leaders: A Pictorial Account.

For over 30 years, Reverend Daughtry was the host and principal speaker on a weekly radio program airing Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. on New York City's WWRL-AM. Further, Reverend Daughtry made a cameo appearance in Spike Lee’s 1990 movie, “Mo’ Better Blues.”

 

Among the numerous citations and awards, Reverend Daughtry has received honorary doctorate degrees from Seton Hall University (1980) and the State University of New York, College of Old Westbury (1992). Additionally, he has received citations, resolutions, and proclamations from the U.S. Congress, the New York State Legislature, the key to Jersey City, NJ and the New York City Council in honor of his many years of service to humanity.

 

Reverend Daughtry is married to Reverend Dr. Karen Smith Daughtry. They have four adult children, Leah, Sharon, Dawnique and Herbert, Jr; Rev. Daughtry has three grandsons, Lorenzo, Herbert III, Myles and two great grandchildren, Lauren Joy and Alexander.